Apparatus for continuous gauging



May 15, 1962 J. E. ROBINSON 3,034,218

APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS GAUGING Filed Nov. l, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 REwlND STATION ani GAUGE CONTINUOUS VULCANlZATION ExTRuDlNG STATION 1N VENTOR JAMES E. ROBINSON ATTORNEY UNwlNn sTATIoN May 15, 1962 .1. E. ROBINSON APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS GAUGING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. l, 195'? l N VE NTOR JAMES E. ROBINSON ATTORNEY May 15, 1962 1. E. ROBINSON APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS GAUGING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 1, 1957 INVENTOR JAMES E. ROBINSON4 ATTORNEY 3,034,218 APPARATUS FOR CGNTINUUS GAUGING James E. Robinson, Centerdaie, RJ., assigner to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, Oakland, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 693,341 7 Cia'm. (Cl. 33-148) This invention relates to recording apparatus. More particularly, the invention is concerned with recording devices of the type wherein it is desirable to obtain a continuous record of the dimensions of an article being manufactured in a continuous process, such as sheet and foil rolling, paper manufacturing, and the like. An excellent example of use to which the present invention may be put is in a continuous vulcanization process for apply- Stats arent ing insulation to an electrically conductive core. In such v tion. To obtain proper control of the insulation thickness, it is equally obvious that some means must be provided whereby the nal dimensions of the insulation may be checked or gauged. It is this latter function that is served by the present invention.

Additionally, it is most desirable that the gauging apparatus be of the continuously recording type wherein a complete production run of a product may be gauged as it progresses through the various media acting upon it rather than of the type wherein the manufacturing process must oe periodically stopped to enable measurement or the obtaining of samples for laboratory checks or measurement. p

The present invention then deals with a continuously recording thickness or dimension recording gauge which may be used to check a run of a product continuously during manufacture and which may iind use in a great number of such processes, some of which have been outlined above.

There have been many such devices developd for the purpose contemplated by the instant invention. However, these prior devices have all been possessed of inherent weaknesses which are overcome by the present invention which has for an object the production of a continuous recording thickness gauge that is reliable, accurate and may be used in long production runs.

Another object of the invention is to produce a continuous gauging device which is not susceptible to errors or drift due to dust, water, etc., encountered during normal Shop use.

Still another object of the invention is to produce an apparatus of the type described which can be set, reset and used by semi-skilled or unskilled operators.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gauging device which will handle articles over considerable ranges of dimensional variations.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a gauging device which will not be adversely affected by pasductive core.

2 sage therethrough of large lumps, knots or unusual variations in the dimensions of the article being gauged.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a gauging apparatus of the contact-type wherein the pressure exerted by the contacts with the product being gauged is rm yet light, such that the gauge may be used to check products having soft or uncured coatings sensitive to pressure. Another object of the invention is to provide a gauging device in which the mechanical components are reduced to a minimum and such mechanical components as are used transmit impulses to pneumatic components which affect a continuous record of the variations in dimensions of the product being gauged.

The above mentioned and other objects of the invention not specifically mentioned but inherent therein are accomplished by providing a pair of roller contacts between which the product to be gauged passes, one of which is mounted on a ine adjustment carriage disposed below the product and adjustable -With respect to a given reference plane usually passing through the centerline of the product, the other roller being mounted on a pivoted lever arm which in turn is connected to a pneumatic conversion unit which converts mechanical motion to pneumatic pressure, the latter being used to actuate a recording device consisting of a continuously moving chart inscribed upon by a pneumatically controlled pen.

Now, in describing the invention in detail, reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the disclosure, wherein it will be seen that FIGURE l is a schematic view ofa continuous production process illustrating several points therein where the apparatus deiining the invention may be used, and

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the invention, certain parts being broken away,

FIGURE 3 is an end View of the apparatus disclosed in FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to FIGURE l, it may be seen that the invention is applied to an electrical conductor insulating process to check and continuously record the thickness' of insulation being deposited around a metal conductive core. The core 1 is unwound from a reel 3 at the unwind station passing through an extruding machine. At this point a plastic, rubber or rubber-like covering of dielectric material is extruded about the continuously moving metal con- As the core merges from the extruding station, it passes through a iirst gauging device where the overall diameter of the core and deposit material is checked and the dimensions continuously recorded. The product is then passed through a continuous vulcanizing chamber wherein the insulation is cured under heat and pressure. As the now complete product emerges from the latter apparatus its dimensions are again checked prior to the time the completed product is rewound on reel 5 at the rewind station. It will be appreciated that if the speed of the product through the gauges corresponds in a known ratio to the speed of the record charts in the gauges a continuous record of the diameter of each Ifoot of product is obtained. An inspection of these records then will reveal any deviations from the desired normal dimension of the insulation and since the exact place is identifiable, the

fault portion or portions maybe readily located, removed or otherwise corrected. 1

ln considering FIGURES 2 and 3, it is` to be noted that the product enters one end of the gauging apparatus and emerges from the other, in this case from left to right in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 2.

Considering briefly initially FIGURE 3, it may be seen that the gauge assembly is carried upon a at platform member 2. The platform 2 lis provided with a vertical column comprised of Van inner and an outer telescopically arranged rod and tube 4 and 6, respectively. Preferably, the inner rod 4 has a threaded exterior and is engagedV by a hand operated nut 8 whereby its position with respect to the surrounding tube 6 may be adjusted vto a tine degree.

The'lower end,(not shown) of the tube 6 may be anchored to a suitable foundation, pedestal or the like, or maybe xed tothe frame of any machine in conjunction with which the gauge is to be used, in any suitable manner.

The platform 2. defines the bottom of a substantially closed chamber defined by a box-like housing 12 which rests upon it. The housing 12 is fixed to the platform 2 in' any desired manner such as to enable its ready removal from the platform 2 to permit access to the working components contained therein. It suiices to say presently that the housing contains all of the sensing and recording elements or units and all may be'removed as a single unitized assembly from the platform 2. YIt will'be noted that, as seen in FIGUREV 3, a portion of three vertical walls of the housingZ are removed such'that a tunnelli-ke passageway 14 is provided on one side of the housing. It is through this tunnel-like passageway 14' that the product passes and is gauged.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, it may be seen that the platform 2 is provided with a series of guide rollers 16, 1S, 22, 2,4 and 26, The guide rolls 18, Z2 and 24 are disposed inV staggered relation across the plate 2 in the tunnel-like passageway V14 and are so arranged as to form a Vhorizontal guideway for the example product, through the passageway V14. VTo accomplish this `purpose the rollers 16 are journaled in a bracket assembly Sti such that they rotate about horizontal axes. The upper roller of these rollers l16 is also adjustable relative to the lowerV roller which is xed to the bracket'assernbly 39, this adjustment being accomplished `by journaling the upper roller in a yoke having a downwardlyprojecting tongue 28 which passes through a slot 32 provided in and be# tween journal arms 34 which support the lowermost roller of the Vguide roller 16.

The guide rolls 16, 1S, 22 and 24 are arranged so as to form a staggered roll path through the apparatus, in other words the product passes on one side of roll 1S, the opposite side of guide roll 22 and nally, over the same side of roll 24 as that onV which it passed roll 18. Thus, the product can be accurately guided through the tunnel-like passageway 14 in a smooth longitudinal movement.

Guide rolls 1,6 and 26, the latter mounted Vin a manner similar to the lowermost of the horizontal rollers 16, act

at Ythe edges of the platform 2 to prevent abrasion'of theV product as it passes through thetunnel-likepassage 14 and over the platform 2. The purpose of this arrangement will become more apparent subsequently.

bar 44 such that it may rotate about a horizontal axis Y which is normal to the direction in which the insulated conductor moves through the gauging device. It will also be apparentthat the reference roll 42 is of such diameter and is so positioned that its outer, cylindrical, peripheral surfaceV projects upward through the aforementioned slot 36 provided in the platform 2.

The biturcated bar 44 is adjustable vertically with respect to the platform Z, for a purpose to be herein described. In order to provide for very fine and accurate adjustment of the bar 44 and hence, reference roll 42 Y with respect to platform 2, it will be seen that bolted to the bottom of platform Z are a pair of longitudinally aligned bracket members 46, 46'.V These brackets are also aligned with the center line of longitudinal slot 36 in platform 2. The bottoms of each bracket 46, 46' are Y provided with sleeve members 4S, 48' and spacer memi the reduced portions 62, 62' of each screw-jack there is fis keyed or otherwise xed a pinion 66, 66', the lower' The platform 2 is further provided with an elongated l slot 36. This slot 36 is disposed such as to extend longi tudinally in the passageway 14. Thus, as the insulated conductor passes through the apparatus, it will be guided by guide rollers 16, 18, 22, 24 and 26 such that `it passes over slot 38 parallel to its longer dimension and preferably, though not necessarily, the center line of the product is aligned vertically with the center line of the slot 36.

Disposed beneath the platform 2 is what may be conveniently designated a reference roll assembly 40. Reference roll assembly 40 comprisesa reference roll 42 carried by a bifurcated bar memberl.

It will be apparent that 'reference roll 4Z is journaled in the bifurcated thus provided annular shoulders 64, 64', respectively. It will be seen then that the screw-jacks are inserted Vin the apertures 54, 54' such that the annular shoulders 64, 64"

bear against the sleeves 4,8, 48 while the reduced portions 62, 62 extend through the sleeves 48, 48', brackets 46, 46' and spacers 52, 52.', respectively and projects upwardly above the top of each spacer 52, 52,.

Referring to FIGURE 4 as WellV as FIGURES 2 and 3, it may be seen that to the upwardly projecting reduced portions 62, 62 of each of the screw-jacks 56, S6 there surfaces of which engage spacers SZ, 52'. The pinions 66, 66' may be locked to .the screw-jack members 56, 56 by any suitable means so long as when the pinions 66, 66'

rotate the screw-jacks S6, 56' rotate also. Further, since annular shoulders 64, 645', abut sleeves 48, 48' and pinions 66, 66' abut spacer members 52 5,2. vertical movement of the screw-jacks 56, 56' in brackets 46, 46' is prevented.

Brackets 46, 46 are provided with further apertures Vdefining journals through which is passed a rotatable rod member 60. This rod member 60 rotates about a horizontal axis and is so positioned adjacent each pinion 66, 66' that its outer surface is in closeV proximity to peripheral surfaces of the pinions 66, 66'. One end of the threaded rod 60 is provided with a knurled knob 76 by means of which it may be manuallyrotated.

The rod 60 is provided with a pair of sleeve members 68, 68' each of which is of such length as to tit within the parallel vertical sides ofthe U-shaped brackets 46, 46 such that they may rotate therein but may not move in an axial direction between the legs of the brackets, as clearly shown in FIGURE 4. Each of these sleeve members 68, 68' is locked to shaft 70 so as to rotate therewith. Such conventional means as set` screws, keys, etc., and/ or the like may be used to tix the sleeve members 68,

' 68 to the rod V60. The outer surfaces of these sleeve tate which in turn causes rotation of the jack-screws Preferably, one :additional bracket is used in this case, namely, an inverted L-shaped bracket 72. One leg of bracket 7,2 is fixed to the undersurface of platform 2 while the other leg is disposed vertically and includes a` journal 74 through which rod 60 passes. The journal 74 is provided with a manually operable set screw 75 which moves radially inwardly and outwardly toward and away from the rod 60 where it passes through the journal 74. This radially disposed set screw 75 serves as a lock to prevent rotation of rod 60 unless desired.

It will be seen that the bifurcated bar member 44 carrying reference roller 42 is terminated Iat its ends with apertured ears 76, 76' both of which are provided with apertures 78, 78 having threaded interiors. The threaded portions 58, 58 of jack-screws 56, S6 pass through and are in engagement with the threaded interiors of apertures 78, 78. Thus, as jack-screws 56, 56 are rotated in one direction or the other, the bar member 44 will move upward or downward as desired with respect to the platform 2. As a consequence, the lower reference roller 42 will project through the slot 36 in platform 2 to a greater or lesser extent.

The thread advance of the jack-screws 56, 56' and the high gear ratio eected by the meshing pinions and worm defining sleeves 66, 65' and 68, 68 enables vertical adjustment of the roller 42 to a very tine degree, and in thousandths of an inch, if desired.

Mounted on the bifurcated :bar 44 is `a bracket 81. Mounted on bracket 81 and connected to the reference roller 42 by a shaft 82 is a counter device S0. Preferably this counter device records the number of feet of cable passing through the device. This result can easily be effected by selection of proper gearing in the counter mechanism such that a given number of r.p.m.s of reference roller 42 corresponds to one foot of product passing thereover. Preferably the counter also records tenths of feet.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the bifurcated lbar member 44 is also provided with a further bracket 84 which is removable, but rigidly fixed thereto as byfscrews or the like. Mounted in this bracket is a dial gauge 85. Dial gauge 85 is of conventional design and includes a plunger rod 86, a calibrated dial, a pointer and a reset knob. Movement of the plunger 86 toward and away from the body of the gauge actuates the pointer to `produce readings up to thousandths of an inch on the dial by rotary movement of the pointer thereover. The reset knob permits manual reset of the gauge reading to zero where it is desired to establish a zero reading prior to use of the gauge. Such gauges, per se, are conventional equipment and may readily be purchased on the open market, forming, other than in the manner in which combined in applicants device, no part of the present invention. A specie example of such a gauge is that known and sold as the McMaster-Carr gauge, catalogue Model 655-F1.

The plunger 86 of dial gauge 85 is provided with a threaded end 88. This threaded end passes through a threaded aperture provided in the bottom of an additional U-shaped bracket 90 which, like brackets 46, 46', is removable but rigidly fixed to the undersurface of the platform 2. Thus, it will be apparent that as bifurcated bar member 44 is raised or lowered a reading is produced on dial gauge 85 indicating exactly how much the bar moves with respect to platform 2. The threaded engagement effected between bracket 90 and the plunger 86 enables minute adjustments therebetween.

Referring now to the housing 12, consideration will be given to the components contained therein. Preferably, this housing is formed of a framework 92 formed of rigid components, the framework 92. being covered by relatively thin sheet metal members designated generally as sheets 94.

The framework 92 is so designed that a pair of depending ears 96, 96 are provided thereon. These ears are provided with suitable anti-friction bearing assemblies 9S, 9S', these assemblies defining spaced journals for receiving an end of a vertically movable lever N0. The lever 100 as well as the ears 96, 96 are so Ipositioned within the housing that the lever 100 lies within and extends longitudinal- 6 ly in the tunnel-like passage 14, previously referred to, such that it overlies and is parallel to the direction of movement of a product through the passageway 14. An intermediate portion of lever 100 is bifurcated. Journaled in this latter bifurcated portion, in suitable antifriction `bearing assemblies, is a sensing roller 102. It may be seen that the position of sensing roller 10'2 is such that it is directly aligned with yreference roller' 42 and in the absence of a product therebetween the two peripheral surfaces of these rollers contact such that a Vertical plane passing through the axes of rotation of both rollers 42 and 102 will also pass diametrically through both rollers.

Finally, the other end of the lever 160, i.e., that end not pivotally connected to depending ears 98, 9S', is

ivotally connected to the forked end of a vertically dis-` posed push-pull rod 1694. Thus, it will be apparent that lever arm iti@ may move vertically and in so doing will actuate push rod W4 either upwardly or downwardly.

Also suitably mounted within the housing l2 on framework 94 are a pneumatic precisor 195 and a transist recorder liti. Since `both of these instruments are conventional and available on the open market and per se are no part of the present invention no detailed description of either is believed necessary. Their operation will, however, be described insofar as it is essential to understand their function in the invention. Prime examples of both instruments are as follows:

Precisor-Taylor Instrument Company, Precisor No. ll3RF4l9, and

Transit Recorder-Nos. 86] or 66K also furnished by the Taylor Instrument Co., Rochester, New York.

These specific instruments -are recited not by way of limitation, but by way of example since other equivalent equipment may be used.

The aforementioned lever connected push-pull rod 104 is connected to the precisor'which functions as follows:

Within the instrument the rod 104 is connected to a control valve. This valve is supplied Iwith air from a suitable source (not shown) at preferably about 20-22 p.s.i. and in turn, `the valve produces a variable output air pressure. Thus, the pneumatic output of the precisor may -be varied in direct proportion -to movements of the rod T104. If then as the invention contemplates, the output from the precisor is applied to the moving pen of a pneumatically operated recorder the variations in precisor Output can be readily lrecorded on a moving chart.

The mentioned transit recorder performs the latter function, receiving the output from the precisor and converting variations in this output to pen movement which records these variations on a moving graph or chart. If then the speed of the chart or graph moving beneath the pen is directly proportional to the speed of the product moving between the rollers 42 and 102 a continuous -record of thickness is produced.

The use of pneumatic controllers and recorders such as outlined 'above in the gauging and dimension recording apparatus defining the present invention has several great advantages. [First of all, the referred to instruments are extremely sensitive and will record minute variations. Secondly, the number of linkages, pivots, etc., all used in the gauges of the prior artis reduced. Since such mechanical components are subject to Wear, many points of inaccuracy and weakness are eliminated. Thirdly, the recorder is provided with damping valves which assure that only actual variations in precisor output are recorded while in mechanical sensing equipment, damping of chatter due to inherent looseness of parts presents an almost insurmountable problem, particularly where long continuous runs of products are passed through the gauging elements.

The initial set up of the apparatus and its operation will now be discussed and in so doing reference is again made to the continuous process described in FIGURE 1 by `way of example, since the initial set up and subsequent operationv of the gauge will be the same-for any product.

Let it be assumed that a simple stranded core plastic n- Y .5 (one-half) inch. Further, it is desired that the thickness of the insulation lbe .125 l(one-eigllth) inch. It will be apparent then'that if the stranded core has a diameter of .Sand the insulation .125 the overall measured diameter V'of the product should be .750 (three-fourths) inch. Therefore, if j the overall `diameter of the product indicates a constant reading `based on these facts the run of insulated conductor will be satisfactory. Accordingly, theapparatus is set up yfor such a product.

Initial calibrationof the device is effected by moving the Areference roller42 by manipulation of the knob 7d to a level above the platform 2 such that the angle denned between the longitudinal center lines of lever arm ldd and preciser push rod 104 is exactly 90. Since the distance which pushrod 104 will travel upward or downward is limited and can be determined-by measurement, the length of this rod is adjusted such that the push rod is exactly halfway between the extremities of its stroke when the 90 angle referred to above is obtained. At the same time the dial indicator S5 is set to zero. Thus, the contacting members, reference Vroller 42 and sensing roller 102, are in contact at a line which lies in a median plane approximately half way Ibetween the limits of vertical travel of sensing roller and the precisor instrument. The apparatus can thus be considered as calibrated to zero.

Remembering that the product to be gauged has a diameter of .750 inch and in order to obtain a suitable plus and minus reading on the recorder, it becomes apparent that it would not `be desirable to simply pass the product between the rollers 42 and 02 at a zero setting. jRather, after zero calibration, the lower or reference roller 42 is lowered until its position is exactly .750 inch below its zero calibrated position. This is determined from a direct reading of dial gauge 85 and effected by manipulation of knob '76. The set screw f5 is locked and then the product threaded through guide rolls 16, 18, 2.2 and 24 and between reference rol-l 42 and sensing roll 102. If the product is of the correct diameter it will be apparent that push rod 164 and lever 16h Iwill again assume a zero, or 90 relationship and thus, the preciser and recorder in response to the output of the precisorwill return to zero condition. The production run is then begun and the continuously moving .graph in the recorder will be scribed with a line record yindicating variations in overall diameter of the product.

Obviously, since the conductive'core diameter is constant any variations in overall diameter indicate improper Vthickness of the insulation being deposited.

18, etc., such that the edgetthereof passes between rollsV 42 and 102.

As an additional precaution to reveal unusuallyV great variations in thickness an alarm system may be provided in any one of several obvious Vways whereby a bell rings, a light iiashes, etc. should a portion of the product having unreasonable variations from the desired norm or average, pass through the gauge. Further, the recorder may lbe and generally is provided with a relief valve whereby when sudden surges of pressure occur due to sudden changes in measurement of the preciser no vdamage to recorder or precisor occurs as this valve relieves the pressure.

Various modifications and changes in the apparatus previously described can be made, all of which are `within the spirit and scope of the invention, the scope of which is limited only as defined in the following appended claims -wherein, what is claimed is:

l. An apparatus for gauging a given dimension of an article being continuously moved therethrough and for i5 forming a permanentrecord of variations in the gaugedv dimension comprising a platform, a linearly movable reference roll disposed on one side of said platform and having its peripheral surface projecting beyond the opposite side of the platform, means including a bifurcated bar member for mounting said roll, means including screw jacks simultaneously engageable with opposite extremities of said bifurcated `bar member lfor simultaneously adjusting the opposite extremities of said bar member and said reference roll-with respect to said platform, a housing positioned on said last-mentioned side of said platform, means associated with said first-mentioned roll for indicating revolutions of said roll per unit time, said housing including a frame, a pivoted lever suspended from said frame, a roll affixed to said lever, said last-mentioned roll having its axis disposed parallel to and in the same plane as the axis of said first-mentioned roll whereby variations in the dimensions of an article passed between thev rolls will cause Y movement of said pivoted lever, means in said housing for recording such variations, said means being-pneumatically operated Yand controlled by the movements of said pivoted lever and adjustable push rod means directly connecting said pneumatically operated means with said pivoted lever.

2. A gauging apparatus as defined in claim l wherein said bfurcated bar member is provided with a bracket and said platform is provided with a bracket, the respective brackets being interconnected by a gauge means whereby movement of said referenceV roll toward and away from a median position may ybe ascertained.

3. A gauging apparatus as del-ined in claim l wherein the side of said platform above which said reference roll projects is provided with guide means which act to direct an article being gauged over said referenceroll.

Y 4. A device for continuously `recording dimensional variations in acontinuously moving article passing therethrough comprising a platform, a housing having a tunnellike passage fixed'` to said platform, a sensing roll disposed in said passage and rotatable about an axis nor mal to the length of saidV passage, means including a pivot lever supporting saidV sensing roll in said passage, said platform having a slot therein elongated in a direction paralleling the length of said passage, a reference roll vertically aligned with said sensing roll and fixed to said platform, said reference roll projecting through said slot such that its peripheral surface cooperates with said sensing roll to gauge the dimension of a product passing between said rolls, means responsive to movements of said sensing roll due tothe variations in the dimensions being measured for forming a continuous record of said variations,rmeans for adjustably mounting said reference roll with Vrespect to said platform while maintaining alignment between said rolls, said means comprising a bifurcated bar member disposed beneath said platform and disposed parallel thereto, bar member adjustment means including a pair of screw jacks each of Vwhich is connected to an opposite extremity of said bar member for adjusting the position of said bar member and reference roll, means for gauging the amount of adjustment between said reference roll and said platform, said sensing roll. responsive means including a pneumatic recording apparatus, and means including a push rod directly and adjustably connected to said Vpivot lever and said pneumatic recording apparatus for actuating said pneumatic recording apparatus upon the movements ofthe sensing roll.

5. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said adjustment means further includes a worm and pinion means connected to said pair of screw-jacks and manually operable to adjust both ends of said bifurcated bar simultaneously.

6. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said housing is removably fixed to said platform and said sensing roll and recording means are mounted upon said housing and are removable therewith Aas a unit.

7. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein the axis of said push rod and said lever deiine an angle of with.

respect to one another when said sensing roll is in contact with said reference roll and said reference roll is positioned in a zero calibrated condition prior to insertion of a product between the rolls for gauging therebetween.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 762,010 Uncapher June 7, 1904 10 CogswellV Feb. 5, 1929 McLaughlin May 7, 1932 Kronenberg Dec. 18, 1934 Hunt Aug. 18, 1936 Wilson Feb. 7, 1939 Zeitlin Oct. 19, 1943 Mooe Apr. 17, 1945 White Nov. 4, 1952 Hard Af Segerstad Feb. 16, 1954 

